I love figs as well. I used to get that tongue burning, but no longer. This is because I now eat only the green skinned variety, Katoda figs....consuming both the skin the inside gel. And I choose the ones that are very squishy, with the gel bursting through the skin. This indicates pure ripe sugary bliss.

Are you eating the black Mission figs? These are the only ones that burn my tongue, though less so the riper they are (very squishy). I don't eat these any longer.